Personal Narrative: The Social Construction Of Gender Roles

Sometimes in life, we face difficult experiences that we wish we did not have to deal with, but these difficult scenarios can become amazing opportunities to grow as people and to build character. I was raised by a single mom and though it was incredibly hard at times, I would not want to be raised any other way. I am the strong and independent person I am today because I have watched my mom struggle and fall down but proceed to get right back up so she could continue moving forward. She has shown me that gender roles are just a social construct, even with small and seemingly unimportant tasks like changing a light bulb, because I saw my mom be fully capable of doing something that a dad would normally do in any other home. We never had a man that brought home a paycheck or supported us in
any way and while not having this figure in my life was difficult, it has shown me that women, including myself, are just as capable as men, despite what society says. I have learned that success and efficiency are not at the mercy of others; and happiness can thrive in a small home because it is not about the number of people or square footage you have but the tenaciousness of the few surrounding you to stand by your side even when life gets hard.
My mom and I have gone through thick and thin together and we have had to deal with situations most families with two parents have not had to struggle with. Growing up I matured much faster than others because my mom was always at work. I learned at a young age how to be self-sufficient and once I was old enough, I got a job to help support us. There was a point when my mom had three jobs and I had two, which though difficult at the time, taught me to value and appreciate everything we owned. If I wanted something I knew that it would not be handed to me and that I had to work for it. Not only did being raised by a single mom teach me to value my possessions, but also to value the people in my life who had genuine intentions for me.
I became exceedingly grateful for the relationships I had formed with people that I knew I could rely on. This also empowered me to not be afraid of removing the people in my life that were not there for the right reasons. Since I was little, my mom taught me to stand up for myself and not let anyone walk over me, while at the same time being gentle and loyal. My mom has raised a compassionate and understanding yet incredibly strong and determined young girl, and it is from watching her be completely whole and satisfied with herself because she wasn’t reliant on anyone else. My mom has shown me that everyone has different stories, different backgrounds, and I should be forgiving and genuine towards all peoples. My mom has made me ambitious and proud because she never gave up, even when everything in front of us seemed impossible. My mom has made me dedicated and brave because she always pushed herself to be better. My mom has made me the person I am today and has impacted me in such a way that I am so unbelievably grateful
for.